Spectrum Disorder

When Kate Swenson’s son Cooper was diagnosed with severe, nonverbal autism, her world stopped. She had always dreamed of having the perfect family life. She hadn’t signed up for life as a mother raising a child with a disability.

Andrew Wakefield reveals the inside story of desperate parents trying to help their autistic children, only to be labeled as abusers by social workers, medical professionals, and the courts. As the number of children diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders grows each year, new discoveries and controversies arise. Andrew Wakefield explores many of these in his thorough investigation of the recent trial case of the “Arizona 5,” which destroyed an Arizona family.

What is autism: a devastating developmental condition, a lifelong disability, or a naturally occurring form of cognitive difference akin to certain forms of genius? In truth it is all of these things and more - and the future of our society depends on our understanding it.

Borderline personality disorder, autism, narcissism, psychosis, Asperger's: All of these syndromes have one thing in common---lack of empathy. In some cases, this absence can be dangerous, but in others it can simply mean a different way of seeing the world. In The Science of Evil, Simon Baron-Cohen, an award-winning British researcher who has investigated psychology and autism for decades, develops a new brain-based theory of human cruelty.

Although having Asperger syndrome (AS) can make romantic relations difficult, having a fulfilling relationship with an Asperger man is certainly not impossible. A woman in love with a man with AS may interpret his difficulties with communication and socialisation as a lack of interest in the relationship. He may vacillate between being gentle and caring to seeming cold and distant. She may find his behaviour hard to understand, resulting in feelings of loneliness, isolation and confusion.

There is a significant divide between autistic advocates and parents of autistic children. Parents may feel attacked for their lack of understanding, and autistic adults who offer insight and guidance are also met with hostility and rejection. Meghan Ashburn, a mother of two autistic boys, and Jules Edwards, an autistic parent, were no strangers to this tension and had an adversarial relationship when they first met. Over time, the two resolved their differences and are now co-conspirators in the pursuit of disability justice.

Do you know a child who struggles to get started with things or who resists trying something new? Maybe they argue or have trouble joining other kids in conversation and play. Do you hear yourself prompting your child again and again? Do you feel frustrated or stuck, and long for a better way - a more positive way - to engage your child while guiding them toward independence? This book was written for parents, caregivers, professionals, and more - to guide you on how to move away from prompting and prodding kids - and toward authentic connections and competent roles.

A veteran clinical psychologist exposes why doctors, teachers, and parents incorrectly diagnose healthy American children with serious psychiatric conditions. In recent years there has been an alarming rise in the number of American children and youth assigned a mental health diagnosis. Current data from the Centers for Disease Control reveal a 41 percent increase in rates of ADHD diagnoses over the past decade and a forty-fold spike in bipolar disorder diagnoses. Similarly, diagnoses of autism spectrum disorder has increased by 78 percent since 2002.

Diagnosed with pathological demand avoidance (PDA) in his teenage years, Harry Thompson looks back with wit and humour at the ups and downs of family and romantic relationships, school, work and mental health, as well as his teenage struggle with drugs and alcohol. By embracing neurodiversity and emphasising that autistic people are not flawed human beings, Thompson demonstrates that some merely need to take the 'scenic route' in order to flourish and reach their full potential.

During the first 30 years of her life, comedy script writer Sara Gibbs had been labelled a lot of things - a cry baby, a scaredy cat, a spoiled brat, a weirdo, a show off - but more than anything else, she'd been called a Drama Queen. No one understood her behaviour, her meltdowns or her intense emotions. She felt like everyone else knew a social secret that she hadn't been let in on, as if life was a party she hadn't been invited to. Why was everything so damn hard?

You got the diagnosis. You knew that the other person was different or eccentric in many ways, but you didn’t know why or how. Now you know that you are living with something called obsessive compulsive personality disorder, Asperger syndrome, Asperger's disorder, autism spectrum disorder, schizoid personality disorder, or narcissistic personality disorder.

"Élever des Enfants Autistes" est un guide bienveillant offrant aux parents des outils pratiques pour mieux comprendre les défis quotidiens et trouver des solutions concrètes. Ce livre offre un regard approfondi sur le monde de l'autisme, fournissant aux parents des moyens efficaces pour comprendre les comportements uniques de leurs enfants et y répondre de manière adaptée.

It may not be an easy journey, but it’s definitely worth the fight—here’s how to help your child with autism survive and thrive in life while taking care of your mental health.

These and many other questions relating to the disorder will be addressed. You'll learn about the symptoms, different treatment methods to minimize those symptoms, and the best ways to teach those with Asperger's syndrome to develop some sense of social skills or adjust to social settings in an acceptable way. You'll also find out the typical strengths of those who have this disorder as well as the best way to get their attention or handle their hyper focus on one particular topic of interest.

The behavior of people with Asperger's can be hard to understand and easy to misinterpret, which is why it's so important to learn more about your partner's condition. The tools presented in Loving Someone with Asperger's Syndrome will help you build intimacy and improve the way you and your partner communicate. This book will teach you how to understand the effect of Asperger's syndrome on your partner, practice effective communication skills, constructively work through frustrations and fights, and establish relationship ground rules to help you fulfill each others' needs.

As diagnosis rates continue to rise for autism, ADHD, learning disabilities, and other developmental differences, parents face a maze of medical, psychological, and educational choices—and a great deal of emotional stress. With compassion, clarity, and an emphasis on practical solutions, Dr. Rita Eichenstein walks listeners through the five stages of acceptance and helps listeners understand their own emotional experience, so that they can embrace their child with acceptance, compassion, and joy.

Although Pathological Demand Avoidance (PDA) has been a recognized autistic profile in the UK for some time, awareness is still growing in America. When parents first learn about it they talk about having a lightbulb moment of understanding their child better. Many described how, having found traditional parenting and behavioral techniques made things worse instead of better, they felt judged and alone. Teachers and school administrators also reported struggling to support their PDA students. The children, teens and young adults themselves were often left feeling misunderstood.

Dr. Jordan, a renowned psychologist with years of experience working with adults with HFASD, lists 28 fundamental social and relationship difficulties that people on the spectrum frequently suffer. These include interpreting nonverbal clues, comprehending nuanced emotions, forging enduring connections, and navigating the frequently perplexing realm of workplace dynamics. However, this audiobook is more than just a list of difficulties; it also provides a strong road map for conquering them.

As the parent of a child recognised as autistic as a pre-teen or teen, it can often feel difficult to find the answers you need. Cathy Wassell, CEO of Autistic Girls Network, has tailored this handbook to support parents with older children or teenagers who are at the identification stage, walking them through the basics in an engaging and accessible manner. She addresses key challenges for this age group, including co-occurring conditions, puberty, and safeguarding, as well as looking to the future, advising on schooling options, and beyond.

You don’t need to be a psychologist or have special training. What you need to do is act fast, because one of the most consistent pieces of advice you will hear from any ASD expert is that early intervention is always best. Every parent goes through life doubting their skills. When you are parenting an ASD child, these doubts can have a significant impact on their development. But all of that can change—starting today!